Tag: allergy

Conventional Medication For Sinus Infections

Conventional Medication for Sinus Infections

There are many things you can take to fight a sinus infection. Apart from antibiotics, there are others as well namely antihistamines, decongestants, leokitrienes, mucolytics, nasal saline irrigation and steam inhalation as well as steroids.

Antihistamines are recommended if the doctor has determined that your sinus infection is caused by an allergy. Majority of them do not have to be prescribed by a doctor so you can easily get this off the counter. The only limitation with antihistamines is the side effects. Those who take it will usually feel groggy or sleepy while some may experience dryness. To counter this, decongestants are added to the ingredients of the antihistamine like those normally found on those that are prescribed by the doctor.

Then there are decongestants. These are also available over the counter and in prescription form. These are designed to relieve congestion, nasal pressure and nasal swelling by reducing the blood flow to the membranes that in turn will improve air flow, lessen breathing through the mouth, decrease pressure in the sinus and head as well as ease discomfort.

The one thing it cannot do is relieve a runny nose. Sadly, it also has side effects such as increased blood pressure and heart rate which means patients who have high blood pressure or heart problems have to consult a doctor before taking them.

Leokotrienes are anti-inflammatory prescription drugs that are used to prevent inflammation in the airway and sinus cavities. It has been proven useful in helping patients who have sinus infections due to asthma. The side effects associated with this drug include dryness of the nasal passages, headaches, bleeding, crusting, upset stomach and skin rashes.

The doctor may also recommend the use of mucolytics. This is also used in treating cough because it destroys or dissolves mucus which makes it difficult for the person to breathe. These are available in tablet or liquid form. You can also inhale it when this is placed inside a nebulizer.

This is usually given in high dosages as this is the only way to achieve easier drainage. Once this is done, it will be easy for the body to expel through coughing. If not, this has to be done with the help of suction.

Your doctor may also recommend nasal saline irrigation and steam inhalation. This is the only one that does not have any side effects. It is safe and non-addictive. This works almost immediately especially when what you are dealing with is indeed a viral infection so you can stop using it after 3 to 5 days.

Steroids are also used to get rid of sinus infections. In fact, there are two kinds and the one used for inflammatory conditions are known as glucocorticosteroids. This can be administered orally, applied to the skin or by injection.

The side effects associated with it include increased appetite, weight gain, upset stomach, increase blood sugar and blood pressure, sleep disturbance, mood swings as well as fluid retention. These gradually disappear of course once you stop taking it.

As you can see, there are other medications around that doctors can use to help you fight off your sinus infection. They will have to determine first what is causing it rather than through trial and error because this can lead to complications and you surely dont want that to happen to you.

What Is Chronic Sinus Infection

There are two types of sinus infection. It could be acute or chronic and among the two, more people get afflicted with the chronic sinus infection.

The difference between chronic and acute sinus infection is the fact that this can last for 12 weeks or longer and this can recur once you get better. An acute sinus infection is gone after a week.

Common causes for chronic sinus infection include allergies, airborne fungus, nasal or sinus obstructions, trauma to the face, certain medical conditions and respiratory tract infections.

As a result, some of the symptoms that most people feel include headaches, congestion, difficulty breathing, reduced sense of smell, ear pain, fatigue, cough, nausea, sore throat and aching in the upper jaw or teeth.

Since you probably tried already to self medicate yourself without any positive results, the doctor is your only hope to make it go away.

After reviewing your medical history, some test will need to be done such as an MRI, CT scan, nasal endoscopy, extracting nasal or sinus cultures and an allergy test.

An MRI or CT scan is similar to an X-ray machine because they can show details of your sinus and nasal area without inserting anything into your body.

If this is needed, the doctor will have to do a nasal endoscopy by putting a thin, flexible tube with fiber optic light up your nose to see what is happening inside.

Not many people like that because it is like putting a similar tube up your anus. If possible, they will give a nasal or sinus sample instead so this can be checked.

If your doctor has not yet determined the exact cause of the chronic sinus infection, you may be referred to another specialist especially if he or she suspects that this is caused by an allergy so they can conduct an allergy test.

Once the results come in, the doctor will probably prescribe some antibiotics until you are free of the symptoms. To deal with the inflammation and swelling in the nasal cavity, you will be prescribed a corticosteroid. If this doesnt work, then you will probably try antihistamines, decongestants and expectorants.

The doctor may also try moisture or humidification to help flush the nasal cavity and loosen the dried mucus. Should the chronic sinus infection be caused by an allergy, it can be treated with immunotherapy. A method designed to stimulate the antibodies that block the bodys reactions to a specific allergy.

Chronic sinus infection can be prevented and the steps that you take are not that different when you are suffering from an acute sinus infection. You just have got to practice proper hygiene, get flu shots once a year, stay away from people who have colds as it is a contagious illness, limit your drinking, keep yourself hydrated at all times, buy a humidifier and avoid being in polluted areas or around people who smoke.

Should you already have chronic sinus infection, just follow the instructions of the doctor and update him or her on any progress.

Chronic sinus infection is no joke. Just to give you an idea of how serious it is, over 30 to 40 million Americans get it every year. If you dont want to be another person added to the statistics, do what is needed so you are always healthy.

Preventing Sinus Infections

Prevention is the best way to fight health problems. Even the medical community believe in that clich. For thousands of years, medical professionals have encouraged individuals to practice all the possible preventive measures to prevent the onset of a certain illness. That is also true in the case of sinus infections. Youre already aware what it feels like when youre sick or when youre in excellent health. Any change in the body should be noted and it would be best to consult a doctor right away.

Be on the look out for these symptoms of sinus infection so that you can already start with the preventive measures

1.Frequent colds

2.Frequent allergic reactions

3.Headaches

4.Increased congestion

5.Sinus pressure

When the infection is already in the full blown stage, the sinus will become more painful so you should act immediately on the onset of the symptoms. Dont delay and you need to follow a certain prevention program which may include a change in your daily diet. By starting on the program, you can reduce the chance of getting the infection.

Some of the things that you need to consider are the following:

1.Brushing the teeth everyday is already part of your routine. You also need to incorporate into your routine the nasal irrigation.

2.The sinuses should always be kept moist and you can do this by using a saline spray or you can also use a room humidifier especially at night.

3.Avoid soda, tea, and other iced drinks.

4.If youre having an asthma attack or you have a cold, you must get enough rest and dont exert yourself too much.

5. Get enough daily exercise and to increase blood circulation, try to do some outdoor exercises like walking, jogging, or running

6.To reduce the inflammation of the sinuses, you have inhale steam with eucalyptus, take frequent hot showers, use hot compresses, and you also dissolve some papaya enzymes inside your mouth (particularly between the gum and cheeks)

7.Prevent allergy attacks so that your sinuses will not be stressed out. Allergy attacks usually happen from 5am to 10am so you need to keep allergens at bay by using air purifiers or vacuums.

These are ways to prevent the onset of sinus infections. You must follow them carefully so that you can live a sinusitis-free life. Sinusitis can be very painful especially if it happens frequently. Visit your doctor right away so that you can be given a prescription medicine for your sinus infection. There are also those who try home remedies first because they say that the natural home remedies are quite effective in treating sinusitis. If the home remedies dont work, then you should follow the advice of your doctor.

Sinus infections can affect your day to day life because it can cause headaches and extreme discomfort. Individuals who have sinusitis tend to be irritable and so they cant perform well in school or in the workplace.

Prevent sinus infections now by following the ways stated above. Sinusitis is treatable especially if you know the appropriate medicine or home remedy to use. If you prefer a less costly alternative, you can try searching for information online on how to prevent sinusitis the natural way. If you can prevent the infection, then there is no need to purchase any medication or natural cure for the sinus problem.